Uphillhike

Author: mmbowden60

  • Trail Guide – Snowbird Creek Trail No. 64 & 64A

    Trail Guide – Snowbird Creek Trail No. 64 & 64A

    Trail Guide – Snowbird Creek Trail No. 64 & 64A (9.45 miles)

    From a location at the end of Forest Service Road 75, locally known as Junction, Big Snowbird Creek trail follows Big Snowbird Creek upstream eventually intersecting Mitchell Lick Trail above the source of Big Snowbird Creek. This trail features 3 waterfalls, Big Falls (upper and lower portions), Middle Falls, and Upper Falls. Few people hike the trail beyond Middle Falls and it is very rare to encounter anyone along the trail beyond Upper Falls. The first 4.1 miles of trail follows a level and easily walked former logging road ending at a footbridge. The middle one mile stretch of Big Snowbird Creek trail between the footbridge and Middle Falls crosses the creek 11 times. These sometimes difficult creek crossings can be avoided via an alternate route, sometimes called Middle Falls trail (64A) which climbs a nearby ridge and rejoins Snowbird Creek trail a few hundred yards upstream of Middle Falls.

    Snowbird Creek Trail – Lower Section (3.9 miles)
    From Junction to Trail 64A at footbridge
    Distance: 3.9 miles
    Minimum Elevation: 2732 feet
    Maximum Elevation: 3396 feet
    Total climb: 797 feet
    Total descent: 152 feet

    Snowbird Creek Trail – Middle Section (1.2 miles)
    From footbridge to Middle Falls.

    Snowbird Creek Trail – Left Bank Section
    Middle Falls to Junction with Snowbird connector to 64A
    Distance: .33 miles

    Snowbird Creek Trail – Meadow Creek Section
    From connector junction to Meadow Creek
    Distance: 1.1 miles

    Snowbird Creek Trail – Upper Section
    From Meadow Creek to Mitchell Lick
    Distance: 2.92 miles
    Min Altitude: 3,697 ft
    Max Altitude: 4,500 ft

    Snowbird Creek Alternate (64A)

    Snowbird Creek Alternate (64A) signed as Middle Falls trail provides a means to reach Middle Falls without having to ford Snowbird creek 11 times. The trail ascends steeply at first. Reach a first signed trail junction where a right turn will lead downhill on a connector trail to Snowbird Creek trail (Sign is labeled Snowbird for that direction). This will bypass Middle Falls and provide the shortest route upstream on Snowbird trail. Alternatively, you can continue straight ahead to Middle Falls. You will shortly reach a 2nd trail sign at a junction with Snowbird Trail (64). This is the end of trail 64A. Turn left and proceed 100 yards in the downstream direction to Middle Falls. A right turn on Snowbird Trail leads in the upstream direction where the trail crosses Big Snowbird Creek in about 50 yards. Just beyond the crossing is another trail sign for the junction with Burntrock Ridge trail. Continue straight ahead making way through several campsites, to a 2nd crossing of  Snowbird creek. It is 0.33 miles between Middle Falls and the 2nd creek crossing. After this crossing, proceed on the trail upstream toward Upper Falls, Meadow Creek, and Mitchell Lick. Alternatively, you can proceed downstream on a right bank trail (right bank when looking upstream) which will lead back to the first signed junction with trail 64A.

    This section shows how the Snowbird alternate trail (64A) connects to the Snowbird trail in 2 places. First via a “Connector” trail, second directly to Snowbird trail (64) about 100 yards upstream from Middle Falls.

     

    Areas: Snowbird Wilderness Study Area

     

    Connecting Trails:

    Sassafras Falls Trail

    Middle Falls Trail (64A)

    Burntrock Trail

    Connecting Trail between 64A and 64

    Mitchell Lick Trail

     

    Snowbird Area Trails:

    Kings Meadow Trail

     

     

     

    Link to Google Map Directions: Robbinsville, NC to Snowbird Trail Head

     

    Turn by Turn Directions:

    From Topton and Andrews, enter Robbinsville on Hwy 129.

    Turn right on North Main Street.

    After proceeding through downtown Robbinsville, bear to the right on tight curve, Junaluska Road.

    Junaluska Road shortly becomes Snowbird Road. Proceed on Snowbird Road for 4.7 miles

    Turn left to stay on Snowbird road for another 2.1 miles. (There is a sign for Snowbird Complex?)

    About 0.1 mile after passing intersection with Cornsilk Branch Road where there is another sign for Snowbird Complex, look for a 180 degree turn on Snowbird Road that descends immediately following the turn. (There is no sign and it is easy to miss. )

    Immediately after a crossing bridge, turn right on a small road (Big Snowbird Road) with one-lane bridge. Cross the one-lane bridge. You will also see a sign at this junction that shows “Little Snowbird” straight ahead and Big Snowbird to the right. The key is to look for the one lane bridge on right.

    Continue straight onto Big Snowbird Rd.

    This road eventually turns into one lane unpaved Forest Service Road 75 with occasional campsites alongside Snowbird Creek. The road dead ends at a turnabout where there is a campsite and trailhead sign.   –  4.09 mi (plus another 4 – 5 miles after Big Snowbird Rd turns into FS 75.)

  • Trail Guide – Burntrock Ridge Trail No. 65A

    Trail Guide – Burntrock Ridge Trail No. 65A

    Trail Guide – Burntrock Ridge Trail No. 65A (1.72 miles)

    From Sassafras Creek Trail near Sassafras Falls to Big Snowbird Trail (64), this trail starts at a campsite alongside Sassafras Creek located about a tenth of a mile above Sassafras falls.  Find trail junction sign at the campsite and turn right onto Burntrock Ridge trail and proceed on a moderately steep climb toward a gap. The trail does not continue over the gap, rather it turns to the left and continues a moderately steep ascent up the ridge. The trail reaches its highest point and continues level along the ridge. Eventually the trail descends a little while continuing along the ridge top toward the west. The trail bears to the right of the ridge and begins a descent where one is more likely to encounter short sections of overgrown trail. These include patches of briars. At no time is it hard to follow the trail. Trail descends further with water seeps and turns right at Little Flat Branch where it follows the right bank. Trail crosses Little Flat Branch and continues down left bank to the junction with Big Snowbird Trail No 64. at Big Snowbird Creek.

    Turn right on Big Snowbird Trail (downstream direction) immediately crossing Big Snowbird Creek, soon passing signed junction for Middle Falls and Snowbird Alternate trail (64A) and continuing straight a short distance to reach Middle Falls.

    Turn left on Big Snowbird Trail in the upstream direction, passing through several littered campsites and cross to the right bank to continuing upstream on Big Snowbird Trail to Upper Falls and eventually Mitchell Lick.

    Distance: 1.72 miles

    Ascent: 585 feet

    Descent: 470 feet

    Interior Trail

     

    Areas: Snowbird Wilderness Study Area

     

    Connecting Trails:

    Sassafras Falls Trail

    Big Snowbird Creek Trail

     

    Snowbird Area Trails:

    Kings Meadow Trail

     

    Difficulty: Moderate  (Trail is more easily hiked in the direction from Big Snowbird trail to Sassafras Falls trail.)

     

     

    Link to Google Map Directions: Robbinsville, NC to Snowbird Trail Head

     

    Turn by Turn Directions:

    From Topton and Andrews, enter Robbinsville on Hwy 129.

    Turn right on North Main Street.

    After proceeding through downtown Robbinsville, bear to the right on tight curve, Junaluska Road.

    Junaluska Road shortly becomes Snowbird Road. Proceed on Snowbird Road for 4.7 miles

    Turn left to stay on Snowbird road for another 2.1 miles. (There is a sign for Snowbird Complex?)

    About 0.1 mile after passing intersection with Cornsilk Branch Road where there is another sign for Snowbird Complex, look for a 180 degree turn on Snowbird Road that descends immediately following the turn. (There is no sign and it is easy to miss. )

    Immediately after a crossing bridge, turn right on a small road (Big Snowbird Road) with one-lane bridge. Cross the one-lane bridge. You will also see a sign at this junction that shows “Little Snowbird” straight ahead and Big Snowbird to the right. The key is to look for the one lane bridge on right.

    Continue straight onto Big Snowbird Rd.

    This road eventually turns into one lane unpaved Forest Service Road 75 with occasional campsites alongside Snowbird Creek. The road dead ends at a turnabout where there is a campsite and trailhead sign.   –  4.09 mi (plus another 4 – 5 miles after Big Snowbird Rd turns into FS 75.)

  • Trail Guide – King Meadows Trail No. 63

    Trail Guide – King Meadows Trail No. 63

    Trail Guide – King Meadows Trail No. 63 (7.6 miles)

    The trail can be summarized in 3 sections. The first section 1.25 miles is a steep climb from Snowbird Creek. The next section is a typical single track following ridges and skirting peaks to Deep Gap. The final section from Deep Gap to a house near Hooper Bald generally follows ridges along logging roads and deeply rutted roads.

    Detailed Trail Description:

    From near Snowbird Creek, trail ascends steeply (Strenuous) in first 1.25 miles with a climb from elevation gain of 1000 feet. Reliable water (not visible from trail) at nearby Owlcamp Branch about 200 – 300 yards to right of trail. Starting at approximately 2700 feet to 3700 feet at ridge. It reaches Fire Scald Ridge where it follows ridge with moderate walk. It skirts around west side of 4500 foot peak on a narrow trail and gradually descends into Deep Gap.  After skirting west around a 4680 foot peak, the trail climbs along Meadow Branch (on left of trail) for several hundred yards before reaching a gap with littered campsite and intersecting 4-wheel road.  Reliable water should be found along Meadow Branch.  At campsite, turn left and begin climbing to King Meadows along washed out 4-wheel tracks. Trail again skirts to the west of a 5160 foot peak as it crosses Queen Ridge. The trail reaches an opening with a house and proceeds uphill along the fenced boundary of this property. Follow signs at the gravel road back into the woods toward the left. After a short walk, reach a signed trail junction with Mitchell Lick Trail (154). King Meadows trail turns uphill to the right and becomes overgrown and a little difficult to follow for the next 300 yards. Soon Kings Meadow trail bears toward the left as it crosses a wet forested area with several small streams bridged with old split logs. Some areas of the the trail may be overgrown, but the trail is easy to follow. The trail begins a few switchbacks just before reaching its signed junction with Hooper Bald trail. Turning right will lead a half mile to open meadows and views on the bald at an elevation of 5430 feet. By traversing the bald, one can take in views of Highway 143 (Cherehola Skyway), Maryville, TN in the distance, and neighboring, Huckleberry Bald.

     

     

     

    Areas: Snowbird Wilderness Study Area, Cherehola Parkway

     

    Connecting Trails:

    Closed Road 2579 from FS 75 near Wilson Cabin to trail at Owlcamp Branch.

    Mitchell Lick Trail No. 154 from Trail No. 415 at Mitchell Lick to Snowbird Creek Trail 64 to junction with King Meadows Trail near Hooper Bald Trailhead.

    Hooper Bald Trailhead. (Leads 0.5 miles to Hooper Bald with views of Cherehola Skyway and Huckleberry Knob)

    Various washed out 4-wheel roads.

     

    Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

    Link to Google Map Directions: Robbinsville, NC to Snowbird Trail Head

     

    Turn by Turn Directions:

    From Topton and Andrews, enter Robbinsville on Hwy 129.

    Turn right on North Main Street.

    After proceeding through downtown Robbinsville, bear to the right on tight curve, Junaluska Road.

    Junaluska Road shortly becomes Snowbird Road. Proceed on Snowbird Road for 4.7 miles

    Turn left to stay on Snowbird road for another 2.1 miles. (There is a sign for Snowbird Complex?)

    About 0.1 mile after passing intersection with Cornsilk Branch Road where there is another sign for Snowbird Complex, look for a 180 degree turn on Snowbird Road that descends immediately following the turn. (There is no sign and it is easy to miss. )

    Immediately after a crossing bridge, turn right on a small road (Big Snowbird Road) with one-lane bridge. Cross the one-lane bridge. You will also see a sign at this junction that shows “Little Snowbird” straight ahead and Big Snowbird to the right. The key is to look for the one lane bridge on right.

    Continue straight onto Big Snowbird Rd.

    This road eventually turns into one lane unpaved Forest Service Road 75 with occasional campsites alongside Snowbird Creek. The road dead ends at a turnabout where there is a campsite and trailhead sign.   –  4.09 mi (plus another 4 – 5 miles after Big Snowbird Rd turns into FS 75.)

  • PCT Thru-hike – Planning

    PCT Thru-hike – Planning

    In a sense, I have been planning to thru-hike the PCT for years. Now, I am at the stage of picking the year I will attempt this hike. I ain’t gett’in any younger! Like high school graduates, thru-hikers talk about the PCT “class” they belong to. I was in the Milton High School class of 1978. Maybe 40 years later, I will be in the PCT class of 2018. Or could it be 2019, 2020, 2021, or even later? At some point I have to pick my retirement year.

    In the meantime, I plan. I know I am hiking North Bound. I have downloaded Guthook and Halfmile apps for the PCT. I have printed out Halfmile’s list of resupplies and noted possible locations for supply shipment or shopping. I have particularly spent time planning and worrying about the section from Kennedy Meadows to South LakeTahoe. Should I plan long hikes off the trail? How many days food supply can I carry if I go with the lightweight freeze dry food dinners?

    I’ll also be away from my family and wife for as long as 6 months, so I’m looking at the calendar with the thought that I should start very early in order to allow time to spend with my wife.

  • Going Solo – Caching and Cycling between Trailheads

    Going Solo – Caching and Cycling between Trailheads

    When hiking solo, you don’t have the option of leaving one car at the destination trailhead. The easiest solution is to choose a loop hike or at least a loop that leaves you minimizing the trail distance you have to retrace. Look for “near loops” where you might be able to add a short road walk to complete the loop.

    Even better, use a bicycle for the road portion of the trip. I’ve often used a bicycle to complete a loop.  I have ridden on paved and unpaved roads. I have ridden in rain and snow.

    On one occasion, I used two bicycles. There were many miles of paved road in combo with several miles of rough unpaved forest service road. By dropping a mountain bike at the start of the unpaved section and dropping an old road bike at the head of the paved section, I was able to switch bikes on the ride back to the starting point.

    I slept in my van at the beginning trailhead.  The next morning, I drove toward the destination trailhead.  Reaching the end of unpaved road, I pushed my mountain bike into the woods and locked it to a tree. At the destination trailhead, I parked the van and pulled out my road bike. I rode about 15 miles back toward where I had stashed my mountain bike, switched bikes, locking my road bike to the same tree, and riding rest of the way via mountain bike. Again, I picked out a hidden spot and locked my mountain bike to a tree. At the beginning trailhead, I retrieved my backpack and hiking poles where they had been stashed earlier that morning.

    Whether closing the loop by walking or biking, gear caching works well for reducing the load. Ease the load by caching your backpack and heavier gear when you plan to return to that same spot later that day. If you do this, just remember a couple of things. Carry your food and smelly stuff with you in a day pack and hide your gear well; however, take care that you can recognize the hiding place. I have cached food in plain sight on shelter bear cables and hidden on bear lines or in Bear Vault.  Plain sight caching hasn’t always worked well for me. Once, someone took down by bear bag, drank my wine boxes, replacing them with some nasty food that they didn’t feel like carrying, and finally, re-suspending my bear bag. Another time, when caching in plain sight (an AT Trail Shelter) someone stole all of my cached gear including my sleeping bag. When I returned a few hours later after a short loop hike, the sun was going down, temps were dropping, and it began snowing. In those conditions without suitable gear, I was forced to night hike off the mountain.

    I always take photos of the area on the trail near where I place a stash. If the spot has no outstanding features, I’ll add a few markers before taking photos. I’ll also use GPS to mark a waypoint. You would be surprised how hard it is to find your stash even when you know where you put it. Everything out there really does looks the same.

  • How to throw a bear line the easy way

    How to throw a bear line the easy way

    One of the most amusing activities of backpacking is watching while someone else tries to throw a bear bag line. This usually starts with finding a likely branch, then looking for a stick or rock to tie to the end of a rope. Given how many rocks you wear your feet out on while hiking, it’s amazing how you can’t find a rock when you really want one.

     

    Easy Way to Hang a Bear Line

    The real fun starts as the hiker begins throwing. Over and over again. Typically the rock goes flying off the end of the rope. The stick is worse. It is either too small and lightweight to be able to reach the branch or it is just large enough to bounce off branches or get tangled at the top of a tree. Eventually the thrower returns to the rock because sticks just won’t hit the mark. The lucky tosser eventually lands a beauty. The rock clears the branch, arcing through the sky with a beautiful tail of rope unfurling behind. The hiker stands transfixed as he stares at the result of his magnificent toss. Suddenly the laws of physics return the rock to a point right between the the thrower’s eyes. Usually a last second dive to the ground saves the thrower from brain injury.

    Instead of searching around for a weighty object to tie on the end of a string, why not bring an 8 – 12 oz disposable plastic water bottle. I’m always carrying disposable water bottles anyway. Fill it with enough water to give it the optimum throwing weight and screw on the cap. Tie the rope around the neck of the bottle just below where the cap screws on. If the relatively thin and soft plastic bottle returns to hit you, at least it won’t leave you with bruises.  If the disposable bottle somehow breaks, so what? The circumference of the bottle is ideal for the perfect grip. You can even wind some rope around the bottle in order to get some extra spooling as the rope arcs over your chosen branch. Best yet, you don’t have to add weight to your backpack. Of course, you are probably already carrying another object of ideal weight, but do you really want to throw your Iphone toward the top of a tree?